Mobile storage apparatus for use with concrete mixing plants

ABSTRACT

This relates to a mobile storage apparatus adapted for use with a concrete mixing plant or the like. This apparatus includes a plurality of storage bins for aggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permit the bin contents to be released therethrough. Means are provided to connect these bins together, with the bins and the connecting means adapted to permit the bins to be moved relative to one another from first positions wherein they are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration about a common discharge region to second positions in relation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like. The abovementioned discharge means are arranged on their respective bins such that when the latter are in said first positions, any material released through the discharge means enters said common discharge region. Suitable means are provided for securing the bins in said first and second positions.

United States Patent [191 Mordhorst Apr. 16, 1974 MOBILE STORAGEAPPARATUS FOR USE WITH CONCRETE MIXING PLANTS [75] l nventori HansMordhorst, Surrey,

British Columbia, Canada [73] Assignee: West Coast Concrete Supply Ltd.,

Neyvwestminster, British Columbia,Canac1a 22 Filed: Mar. 15,1972

21 App1.No.:234,725

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 16, 1971 Canada 110547 [52]US. Cl. 298/8 T, 214/17 R, 220/232 [51] Int. Cl B62! 53/00, B60p 1/00[58] Field of Search 298/8 T, 8 H, 8 R; 214/17 R; 220/232; 105/254;280/408 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,171,578 2/1916Albrecht 298/8 T 1,483,893 2/1924 Kipp V 105/254 811,104 l/1906Stevens..... 298/8 R 690,226 12/1901 'Baggaley 105/254 FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 104,109 2/1917 Great Britain 298/8 R 235,201 6/1911Germany 280/408 958,619 2/1957 Germany 280/408 Primary Examiner-RichardJ. Johnson Assistant Examiner-Reinhard J. Eisenzopf Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT This relates to a mobilestorage apparatus adapted for use with a concrete mixing plant or thelike. This apparatus includes a plurality of storage bins for aggregatesor like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permitthe bin contents to be released therethrough. Means are provided toconnect these bins together, with the bins and the connecting meansadapted to permit the bins to be moved relative to one another fromfirst positions wherein they are grouped in an overall generally curvedconfiguration about a common discharge region to second positions inrelation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storageapparatus along a highway or the like, The above-mentioned dischargemeans are arranged on their respective bins such that when the latterare in said first positions, any material released through the dischargemeans enters said common discharge region. Suitable means are providedfor securing the bins in said first and second positions.

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SHEE? 7 {IF 8 MOBILE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR USE WITH CONCRETE MIXINGPLANTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mobilestorage apparatus for use with a concrete mixing plant or the like whichis so constructed and arranged as to be easily moved from one job siteto another along public highways or the like, and to dry batching plantsand concrete mixing plants or the like incorporating such storageapparatus.

The prior art has provided various types of mobile mixing plantsincluding a mobile base section or chassis carrying the variousconponents essential to the operation of the plant. Among thesecomponents are bin or storage section for aggregates, a mixer unitincluding drive means for same, and a charging device for carryingaggregates from the storage section to the mixer. One very successfulmobile mixing plant of this nature is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,246issued Apr. 14, 1970 to Hans Mordhorst. This patent discloses a mobileconcrete mixing plant including a chassis having a multi-compartmentstorage bin mounted thereon, the latter being provided with gateswhereby aggregates may be selectively released from the various bincompartments as desired. A mixer is mounted on the forward end of thechassis and a skip arrangement is provided which travels between a lowerposition where it receives material discharged through the gates and anupper position for discharge of the load of aggregates into the mixer.The multi-compartment storage bin shown in the above-mentioned patent,in its operative position, is of necessity substantially wider than theremainder of the mixing plant. However, provision is made for it to berotated 90 about a vertical axis thereby to cause its longest dimensionto lie parallel with the longitudinal axis of the chassis of the mixingplant thus reducing very substantially the overall width of the mixingplant and thus permitting it to travel along public highways and thelike.

Mobile mixing plants of the nature described above have proven to bequite satisfactory in small to medium size ranges. However, in the caseof very large mixing plants, it is not altogether practical in manycases to mount all of the components of the mixing plant on a singlechassis. Among other things, theoverall weight and/or the dimensions ofsuch an arrangement in a very large size plant may substantially exceedlocal highway regulations. In addition, serious problems arise when oneattempts to create a multi-compartment storage bin of large size havinga relatively large number of compartments, e.g., four or five, in thatit becomes very difficult to provide a design having the requiredstorage capacity while at the same time having dimensions not exceedingthose permitted by the highway regulations mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toovercome certain of the disadvantages inherent in apparatus of the typeunder consideration wherein movement of the apparatus in question alongpublic highways or the like is involved.

Accordingly, the present invention, in one aspect, provides a mobilestorage apparatus adapted for use with a concrete mixing plant or thelike. This apparatus includes a plurality of storage bins for aggregatesor like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permitthe bin contents to be released there through. Means are provided toconnect these bins together in a series relationship, with the bins andthe connecting means adapted to permit the bins to be moved relative toone another in a generally horizontal plane from first positions whereinthey are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration partlyaround or about a common discharge region to second positions in tandemrelation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storageapparatus along a highway or the like. The above-mentioned dischargemeans are arranged on their respective bins such that when the latterare in said first positions, any material released through the dischargemeans enters said common discharge region. Suitable means are providedfor securing the bins in said first and second positions.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the bins areconnected together by hinge means to permit relative pivotal movementthereof from the abovementioned first to said second positions and viceversa.

According to a further feature the bins and the devices connecting sametogether are arranged such that when the bins occupy said secondpositions, they are serially arranged along a substantially straightline. This configuration facilitates highway travel.

In the preferred form of the invention, at least one of the bins isprovided with wheel and axle means to facilitate travel of the storagebins. Preferably, the wheel and axle means are provided on both theleading and trailing bins when the latter are in the serially alignedrelation mentioned above.

A still further feature of the invention calls for the side walls ofthebins to be arranged such that when the bins are in said first positionsgrouped about said common discharge region at least one side wall ofeach bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the sidewall of another one of the bins. In other words, there is substantiallyno wasted space between adjacent bins when in the configurationmentioned above; all available space can be used for aggregate storage.

In the preferred embodiment of the nvention, each of the bins includes afront wall with the abovementioned discharge means comprising adischarge gate mounted on said front wall to permit aggregates to bereleased into the common discharge region when desired. The rear wallsof the bins are sloped so as to cause the material in the bins to flowor move by gravity toward invention, discharge gate. The bins are of theopen-topped variety and may be charged by conventional equipment forthis purpose.

The invention, in a further aspect, provides a batch plant for use in aconcrete mixing operation comprising a mobile storage apparatus asdescribed above together with a charging device for transportingmaterials away from the common discharge region to a mixing regionspaced therefrom. In the preferred form of the invention, the chargingdevice comprises track means ex tending from a discharge region to themixing region and a skip for carrying said materials arranged for travelalong the track means.

A further feature of the invention provides a complete concrete mixingplant comprising a batch plant as described above in combination with adevice located at said mixing region arranged to receive the materialstransported thereto by the charging device and adapted to mix same witha suitable binder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS Further features of theinvention will become apparent from the following description of apreferred embodiment of the invention wherein reference is had todrawings wherein:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are side elevation, front elevation and plan viewsrespectively of a concrete mixing plant incorporating the variousfeatures of the present invention;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are side elevation, end elevation, and plan viewsrespectively of the mobile storage apparatus per se illustrating theseveral storage bins thereof in serially arranged alligned relation forhighway travel;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the mobile storage apparatus per se in theoperative position with the several storage bins grouped about a commondischarge region;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the skip hoist tower in the travelposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Arrangement Referring now to the drawings,particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there will be seen a concrete mixingplant including a mobile storage bin arrangement 10 suitable for holdinga plurality of aggregate materials, a mixing device 12 includingstirring means therein adapted to thoroughly mix the aggregates togetherwith a binder material to produce a homogeneous concrete mixture or thelike, and a charging means 14 including a skip 16 arranged for movementbetween lower and upper positions thereby to convey aggregate materialfrom the storage bin arrangement 10 to a position above the mixingdevice I2.

The charging device 14 includes upwardly directed tracks 18 which extendfrom a lower position beneath the storage bin arrangement 10 firstgenerally horizontally and then upwardly to a position well above themixer 12. The upper ends of the tracks 18 are supported by means of anupright tower arrangement 20, the latter comprising a plurality ofupright members interconnected together by a suitable structural membersand cross braced so as to give it the necessary strength and rigidity.The upper end of tower 20 serves to support a hopper arrangement 22 ofany suitable design for storing the dry binder material (e.g., concretecement) and for discharging measured quantities of same into the upperend of the mixer 12. Hopper arrangement 22 may be of any well knownconventional design and further description here is not necessary.

The mixing unit 12 used in the above described arrangement may be of anywell known conventional type. It mayfor example comprise a turbine-typepan mixer including a generally cylindrical drum having a rotor headtherein mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The rotor head willhave a plurality of mixing paddles attached thereto of suchconfiguration as to provide for proper mixing of the batch. The mixerwill be provided with suitable hydraulic exit gates to permit a batch ofmixed concrete to escape from the mixer. Suitable drive means (notshown) in the form of an electric or gasoline engine, suitable gear boxmeans etc. will be provided to effect driving of the rotor.

Mobile Storage Apparatus for Aggregates As seen from the drawings, thestorage apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of separate bins 24 of theopentopped variety, each bin including a discharge means 26 thereon forpermitting gravity flow of aggregates outwardly of the bin as desiredinto a common discharge region 28. In the operative position of the binsas shown in FIGS. 1-3 the several bins 24 are grouped in an overallgenerally curved configuration or array partly around or about thecommon discharge region 28 so that the discharge means 26 of the variousbins can discharge into the common discharge region 28. As will bedescribed more fully hereafter, the bins can be shifted to occupyrelative positions to one another such that they are strung out along astraight line for travel along a highway or the like as shown in FIGS.4-6.

Each of the storage bins 24 include a pair of vertical side walls 32,the latter being connected to the opposing vertical marginal edges of avertical front wall 34. Each bin also includes a downwardly andforwardly sloping rear wall 36, the latter being connected at itslowermost edge to the lower end of the vertical front wall 34. By virtueof the downwardly and forwardly sloping wall portions 36, aggregatesplaced in the several bins 24 tend to slide forwardly under theinfluence of gravity and come to rest against the front vertical walls34 of the respective bins.

As seen in plan view, the upper marginal edge of each bin 24 has agenerally trapezium-shaped outline. That is, the vertical side walls 34converge towards each other in the direction of the front wall 34. Byvirtue of this particular shape, it can be readily seen that when thebins are positioned as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 7 with the verticalside walls of the respective bins adjacent and parallel to one anotherthat such bins assume the overall generally curved or U-shapedconfiguration about the common discharge region 28 as best illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 7.

The above-mentioned discharge means 26 on each bin comprises ahydraulically actuated gate assembly disposed adjacent the lower edge ofthe front wall 34 of each bin. Each of these gate assemblies comprises aslidable gate member 27 arranged for up and down slidingmovement betweena pair of opposed guide channels 27a. Each gate 27 is connected to theram of an associated hydraulic cylinder 27b. The hydraulic cylinders 27bcause the gates 27 to be opened and closed in response to controlledsignals thereto to permit the operator to properly proportion thevarious grades of aggregates from the several bins 24 so that thecorrect proportions of aggregates are carried upwardly to the mixer 12by the skip which will be referred to in more detail later on. Adischarge spout 270 is disposed below each gate 27 to direct theaggregates into the skip 16.

In order to strengthen each bin and provide the necessary structuralsupport therefor, a rigid steel framework is provided for each bin whichtakes the form of two horizontally directed members 38 extendingoutwardly from and connected to points very near the bottom of the bin,the outer end of each member 38 being connected to a vertically disposedstrut 40 which extends upwardly from its point of connection with eachmember 38 to connect with the bin 24 just below its outer upper marginaledge at point 42. Members 38 and 40 both are generally coplanar with theplane defined by each side wall 32 of the bin. To further reinforce thestructure an additional horizontal member 44 interconnects the lowerends of the'vertical struts 42 of each bin.

In the operative position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bins are actuallyheld in a somewhat elevated position by means of support columns 46which are bolted to and actually serve as continuations of therespective vertical struts 40. Braces 48 serve to give the supportassembly an adequate degree of rigidity. Pads 50 at the lower ends ofsupport columns 46 prevent the structure from sinking into the ground.

The storage bins 24 are pivotally connected together by a plurality ofhinges defining generally vertically disposed pivot axis, three innumber, as designated by the reference numerals 52 (and best seen inFIG. 1) secured in vertically spaced relation to the upright struts 40of adjacent pairs of bins. The importance of this pivotal connectionbetween adjacent pairs of bins cannot be overemphasized because thisfeature, in conjunction with the particular bin shape arrangement,permits the bins to be moved from the operative position grouped aboutthe common discharge region 28 to the positions shown in FIGS. 4-6 fortravel along a highway. The vertically spaced hinges 52 also preventrelative pivoting between the bins about horizontal axis and thereforethere is no need to provide individual ground engaging supports for eachbin. As mentioned hereafter, only the leading and trailing bins aresupplied with wheel and axle assemblies.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, it will be seen that the bins are arrangedin serially aligned relationship. In order to prevent pivotal movementof the bins relative to one another about the vertical axis defined byhinges 52, diagonal steel rod cross bracing members 54 are providedwhich extend across the open bays 56 defined between the bins as seen inFIGS. 4 and 6.

For ease of mobilityof the storage arrangement along a highway or thelike, wheel and axle assemblies 58 are provided for each of the leadingand trailing bins of the assmebly. These may be of any well knownconstruction and may, as illustrated in FIG. 5, include a heavy dutyaxle 60, and heavy duty springs 62 interposed between the axle and thesubframe 64. It is highly desirable that the wheel and axle assemblies58 be mounted for pivotal rotation about a vertical axis relative to thebins with which they are associated. In the travel position as shown inFIGS. 4-6, the draw bar 66 of the trailing wheel axle assembly 58 islocked against pivotal movement about the above-mentioned vertical axisfor obvious reasons whereas the front one is left free so that the unitmay be steered along the highway as it is pulled by the towing vehicle.However, when the time comes to set up the storage bin arrangement atthe operating site. the rear assembly 58 is released, and the draw bar66 swung around as shown in FIG. 7.

The sequence for setting up the storage bin assembly is illustrated withreference to FIG. 7. The first step is to secure bin A against pivotalmovement. Then, bins B. C and D are swung into the operative positionsas shown with the discharge means 26 of the various bins directedtowards the common discharge region 28. The bins are then securedtogether against relative pivotal motion by bolts 60 as shown in FIG. 7and then subsequently the entire storage bin arrangement is elevated byhydraulic jacks or the like to the proper level and the previouslymentioned support columns 46 bolted in place and their braces 48attached. In this condition,

the wheel and axle assemblies 58 are suspended a considerable distanceabove ground as shown in FIG. 1.

Charging Assembly The previously-mentioned charging assembly includesthe track means 18, skip 16 which moves along tracks 18 and poweredwinch assembly 70 which serves to effect movement of the skip along thetracks.

With special reference to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the lower portionof tracks 18 includes a generally horizontal section 18a upon which theskip 16 is positioned when the latter is at the common dischargeposition 28. When the skip is positioned here, it is capable ofreceiving aggregates from any of the bin-s 24. As best seen in FIG. 3,when the gate 27 of any bin is opened, aggregates will flow by virtue ofgravitational force outwardly of such bin, and over the discharge spout27c associated with such discharge gate and into the interior of theskip.

To assist the operator in properly proportioning the various aggregates,suitable weight scales may be connected to the horizontal track section18a to give an indication of the weight of the contents in the skip atany given time. Various types of weigh scales are well known in the artand a further description of same is not necessary here.

The skip 16 which basically comprises an opentopped box including wheelsor rollers thereon to engage tracks 18, is moved along the latter bymeans of a powered winch arrangement 70 including a reel 72 thereondriven by electric motor 74 whereby to reel up and pay out a length ofcable 76 interconnected between reel 72 and the skip 16.

The discharge position of skip 1.6 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.It will be seen here that the rear portion of the skip includes apivotally mounted section 16 which engages with a suitable trippingdevice (not shown) when the skip reaches the discharge position therebyto cause the pivotally mounted section 16 to swing downwardly and allowthe contents of the skip to flow downwardly and rearwardly out of theskip and into the open upper end of the mixer 12. At or about the sametime a measured quantity of cement is released from the hopperarrangement 22 and water from a suitable source (not shown) is added tothe mixture in mixer 12 whereby to produce the desired blend ofmaterials.

The skip hoist tower is shown in FIG. 8 in the travel position. It willbe noted here that the track 18 has been folded at two joints 18b and18c for that purpose whereby to make the unit relatively compact andcapable of being moved along a public highway. It will also be notedthat the lower end of the tower 20 is provided with wheel and axle means21 whereby to enable the latter to be towed by truck in trailer-likefashion.

In order to illustrate the tremendous reduction in width achieved byvirtue of the present invention, several of the important dimensions ofan illustrative embodiment of the invention will now be referred to.With reference to FIG. 3, the storage bin arrangement 10 has four bins,each having a length dimension L of seventeen feet. The bin width W,, is9 1% feet. The overall width W of the bin assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 3was 29 /2 feet. Obviously, a device having a width of this order can notpossibly be moved along most public highways unless, of course, aspecial route is selected and special travel arrangements made. However,with the storage bin arrangement placed in the travel position as shownin FIGS. 4-6, the overall width in the travel position W, is equal to 9/2 feet, i.e. equal to the width of the individual bins. The overalllength L, of the four bin arrangement shown was 68 /2 feet.

For purposes of this specification the term batch plant will refer tothe aggregate storage arrangement in combination with the mixer chargingapparatus. The term mixing plant refers to the whole combination of thestorage arrangement, charging apparatus and mixing device.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been described with referenceto the drawings. However, many modifications thereto fall within thescope of the invention. For example, the specific storage binarrangement shown can be used with other types of charging and mixingassemblies. For example, the storage bin arrangement shown could beutilized in conjunction with a charging and mixing arrangement verysimilar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,246 issued Apr. 14, 1970 toHans Mordhorst. The number of bins may be varied considerably; however,as a practical matter the number of bins will range from about three toabout five. Various other modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art and accordingly the invention is not to be limited to thespecific examples given above and hence for a determination of the scopeof the invention, reference is to be had to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Mobile storage apparatus comprising a plurality of storage bins foraggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereonto permit the bin contents to be released therethrough, means connectingsaid bins together in a series relationship to permit said bins to bemoved relative to one another in a generally horizontal plane from firstpositions wherein said bins are grouped in an overall generally curvedconfiguration or array partly around or about a common discharge regionto second positions in tandem relation to each other suitable for travelof the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like, saiddischarge means being arranged on their respective bins such that whensaid bins are in said first positions any material released through saiddischarge means is directed into said common discharge region, and meansfor securing each of said bins in fixed position with respect to theothers in said second positions for travel along a highway or the like.

2. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each bin includes apair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said sidewalls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in thedirection of said front wall and said connecting means pivotallyconnecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in saidfirst positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacentto and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one ofsaidbins with the front walls of said bins facing into said commondischarge region, said discharge means comprising a discharge gatemounted in the front wall of each bin, and said rear walls being slopedto cause the material in said bins to flow toward said associateddischarge gates.

3. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means connectingsaid bins together comprise hinge means defining generally verticallydisposed pivot axes to permit relative pivotal movement of said bins insaid generally horizontal plane from said first to said secondpositions.

4. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each bin includes apair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said sidewalls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in thedirection of said front wall and said connecting means pivotallyconnecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in saidfirst positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacentto and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of saidbins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common dischargeregion. I

5. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bins and themeans connecting same together are arranged such that when said bins arein said second positions they are serially arranged along asubstantially straight line.

6. Storage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least one bin isprovided with wheel and axle means to facilitate said travel of thestorage apparatus.

7. Storage apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each bin has a frontwall, a pair of side walls, and a rear wall, said bins having aconfiguration as seen in a plan view, such that when they are in saidfirst positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacentto and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of saidbins with the front walls of said bins facing toward said commondischarge region, the rear walls of each bin being sloped to cause theaggregates to move toward said discharge means.

8. Mobile storage apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said dischargemeans comprises a discharge gate disposed in each of the front walls ofthe respective bins and a chute means associated with each said gate forassisting in directing the aggregates or like material into said commondischarge region.

9. Storage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said bins have aconfiguration such that they are grouped in an overall partiallycircular array when in their first positions.

10. Mobile storage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said hingemeans between the bins comprises a plurality of vertically spaced hingesbetween each adjacent pair of bins preventing relative pivoting betweenthe bins about horizontal axes and wherein the leading and trailing binsof the assembly are provided with wheel and axle assemblies tofacilitate said travel of the storage apparatus.

1. Mobile storage apparatus comprising a plurality of storage bins foraggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereonto permit the bin contents to be released therethrough, means connectingsaid bins together in a series relationship to permit said bins to bemoved relative to one another in a geNerally horizontal plane from firstpositions wherein said bins are grouped in an overall generally curvedconfiguration or array partly around or about a common discharge regionto second positions in tandem relation to each other suitable for travelof the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like, saiddischarge means being arranged on their respective bins such that whensaid bins are in said first positions any material released through saiddischarge means is directed into said common discharge region, and meansfor securing each of said bins in fixed position with respect to theothers in said second positions for travel along a highway or the like.2. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each bin includes apair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said sidewalls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in thedirection of said front wall and said connecting means pivotallyconnecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in saidfirst positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacentto and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of saidbins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common dischargeregion, said discharge means comprising a discharge gate mounted in thefront wall of each bin, and said rear walls being sloped to cause thematerial in said bins to flow toward said associated discharge gates. 3.Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means connectingsaid bins together comprise hinge means defining generally verticallydisposed pivot axes to permit relative pivotal movement of said bins insaid generally horizontal plane from said first to said secondpositions.
 4. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each binincludes a pair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall,said side walls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each otherin the direction of said front wall and said connecting means pivotallyconnecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in saidfirst positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacentto and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of saidbins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common dischargeregion.
 5. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bins andthe means connecting same together are arranged such that when said binsare in said second positions they are serially arranged along asubstantially straight line.
 6. Storage apparatus according to claim 5wherein at least one bin is provided with wheel and axle means tofacilitate said travel of the storage apparatus.
 7. Storage apparatusaccording to claim 6 wherein each bin has a front wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a rear wall, said bins having a configuration as seen in aplan view, such that when they are in said first positions at least oneside wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallelto the side wall of another one of said bins with the front walls ofsaid bins facing toward said common discharge region, the rear walls ofeach bin being sloped to cause the aggregates to move toward saiddischarge means.
 8. Mobile storage apparatus according to claim 7wherein said discharge means comprises a discharge gate disposed in eachof the front walls of the respective bins and a chute means associatedwith each said gate for assisting in directing the aggregates or likematerial into said common discharge region.
 9. Storage apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein said bins have a configuration such thatthey are grouped in an overall partially circular array when in theirfirst positions.
 10. Mobile storage apparatus according to claim 5wherein said hinge means between the bins comprises a plurality ofvertically spaced hinges between each adjacent pair of bins preventingrelative pivoting between the bins about horizontal axes and wherein theleading and trailing bins of the assembly are provided with wheel andaxle assemblies to facilitate said travel of the storage apparatus.